Railway-switch.



Patented Sept. 5, |899.

` R. CADY.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

(Application led May 11, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet No Model.)

No. 632,673. Patented Sept. 5, |899. R. CADY.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

,Applcaton tiled May 11v 1898.1

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

SHI!

No. 632,673. Patented Sept. 5, |899.

R. CADY. K

RAILWAY SWITCH.

(Application led Hay 11, 1898,) (N0 Modem 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

GNmm l a 4.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD CADY, OF LOS ANGELESA CALIFORNIA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 632,673, dated September 5, 1899.

Application tiled May Il, 1898. Serial No.680,421. (No model.)

To all whom/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD CADY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improved Railway-Switch, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is simplicity7 of construction and perfection of operation, to make the action of the switch absolutely eer tain, and to avoid liability of getting out of repair.

My invention relates to mechanism by which the motorneer of the car can operate the switch from his station on the car, and is an improvement upon the mechanism shown in United States Letters Patent No. 588,951, granted to me August 81, 1897, and for which I have filed an application for reissue.

In my present invention I do away with a slot in the track, which was necessary with the form shown in my former patent. I also provide a more compact apparatus and one which is less liable to get out of order. I also provide for attachments to different kinds of cars. I also provide a movable'device for operating the vertically-moving rod, so that I can use a lever on the platform of the car, and such lever can be shifted by the inotorneer to get it out of his Way and place it in any position he may desire.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my invention as applied with single and double cars-that is to say, four-wheeled cars and cars having an independent truck at each end.

' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fragment of one end of a car with track and switch, illustrating my invention. The track-plate of the switch is sectioned on line 1 1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a fragmental elevation in cross-section on line 2 2, Fig. l. A portion of the car-fender is broken away to show the plunger support and guide. In Figs. 1 and 2 the car is shown imposition just before the plun` ger is depressed for operating the trip. Fig.

is a fragmental detail elevation of the operative parts shown in Fig. 2 when the tripoperating plunger is depressed for operating the trip. rlhis elevation is viewed from line 3 3, Fig. 1, in the opposite direction from Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan section on line 4 4,

Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan section on line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. i is au elevation of a fragment of one end of a double car at a switch on the track, illustrating my invention. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation on line 7 7, Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan on line S 8, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a fragmental plan on line 9 9, Fig. 7. A portion of the car-fender is broken away to show the plunger support and guide. Fig. 10 is a plan of a section of a switch constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line 11, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a plan section on line 12 12, Fig. l1.

A indicates the track, and A' the pivoted switch-tongue.

B indicates a pivoted wedgeshaped trip which is pivoted on the track-plate C, which is provided with a rodway c, a stopw-ay c', and a chamber c.

h b' indicatea crank-arm and cam carried by a shaft h, which pivots the trip B to the track-plate O and by which the cam and crank-arm are fixed to the trip to turn therewith.

D indicates a connecting-rod connecting the crank-arm with the switch-tongue A. For purposes of adjustment the connectingrod Dis formed of two members d and d', connected by a'screw and socket 1. necting-rod D connects the crank-arm h with the tongue A', so that any movement of the crank-arm will operate the tongue.

E indicates a spring to prevent the crankarm from stopping midway in case the trip should accidentally be moved by the wheel of a heavy wagon or truck.

2 indicates a spring-rest iu the rodway c and through which the rod passes and against which the spring E rests. The spring is connected at 3 with the connecting-rod I), and its tendency is to hold the switch-tongue closed in the position opposite to that shown for the tongue in Fig. 1; but this spring is not sufficiently strong to move the cam b past the yielding stop F, which is in the path of the cam h. The stop F preferably comprises a roller f, mounted on a block f,which moves in the stopway c.

f indicates a spring for yieldingly holding the stop in the path of the cam b to prevent the trip from being turned, except by a con-- The con- IOO from the trip through the top of the trackplate C and is provided with the crank-arm and cam in the chamber c". The pivoted trip B is preferably arched on its under face between to leave supporting edges at its point 4 and heel 5, and a supporting-hub 6 around the shaft ZJ", so that only the point, the heel, and the hub rest upon the track-plate, thus to reduce the friction of the trip on the trackplate. The track-plate C is a metal casting closed at the top and side walls and preferably open at the bottom and is provided with a trap-door c2 at the top to give access to the interior. The track-plate box is preferably cruciform, thus to accommodate and protect the working parts with the greatest economy and efficiency.

7 7' indicate stops, consisting of short lugs extending up from the top of the track-plate to limit the movement of the trip. These are preferably arranged in position to be engaged by the heel of the trip. The heel of the trip is beveled across the end, as at 8, so that wagon-wheels will readily rise and pass over the same when they strike the trip at 'the heel. 9 indicates a corresponding bevel at the point for a like purpose.

G G' indicate cars. The car G is of the single type and the car G' of the double type.

g indicates a plunger-support fastened to the car and having a hole therethrough. The plunger-support g (shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3) is fastened to the fender IO and supported thereby, while in Figs. 6 and 7 the plungersupport g is carried by braces 11,#which are supported by the body of the car. I do not limit myself to the means by which the plunger-support is connected with the body of the car.

II indicates a spring-supported plunger arranged to play vertically through the hole g2 in the plunger-support.

I indicates a way for the lower end of the plunger extending transverse the carto allow the plunger to swing laterally only far enough after striking the trip to pass the pivot of the trip and then to hold the plunger so as to turn the trip by contact with the heel thereof. A suitable spring-guide is provided for normally holding the plunger vertical. This may be of any suitable form, and in the drawings I have shown it composed of two springs J J', which press upon opposite sides of the plunger with equal force, thus to hold the lower end of the plunger at the middle of the slot t' of the plunger-way I. The means for operating the plunger vertically comprises a lever resting upon the top of the plungerand means extending up through the platform of the car for operating such lever. In the drawings I have shown two Jforms of lever, one for the single and one for the double form of car. The lever K (shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3) for the single car is pivoted to the car-body at l2 and rests upon the top of the plunger, as clearly shown in Figs. 2

and 3.

The spring 13 normally holds the plunger elevated to be pressed down by the lever K.

L indicates a rod connected to the lever and extending up through the platform of the car G, and M indicates a foot-piece connected with the lever for operating the same. In tle form shownin Figs. 6 and 7 the foot-piece M' is carried directly by the rod L', which is pivoted to the lever at 14. In the form shown in Figs. l and 2 -the foot-piece M is carried by a lever m, which is pivoted to a fulcrum-block N, which rests loosely upon the top of the platform of the car G, and the rod L connects the lever K with the foot-piece M through the medium of the lever m. The rod L is provided with a head and neck l5, by which it is swiveled to the lever m. The other end of the rod is bent into a hook-arm 16, which passes through a hole in the leverK and is fastened by a Cotter-pin 17 or by any other suitable means. The rod L forms a pivot around which the lever m may be swung by the `motorneer, so as to bring the foot-piece int-o any position he may desire to be in readiness for his foot. The movable fulcrum-block N permits the lever to be readilyturned into the position desired.

The practical operation is as follows: Then the car approaches the switch, the motorneerV will press the foot-piece M or M', as the case :may be, thus operating the lever K or K' to throw down the plunger H or II' into position to engage the trip. by the `forwardly-moving plunger, it causes the lower end of the plunger to swing to one side to pass the pivot of the trip. The springpin h and the plunger-support g allow of this movement of the plunger, The spring-guide .I yields to allow the plunger to swing until it comes into contact with the end of the plunger guide-slot t', which guide then holds the plunger from further swinging, and the plunger, acting on the darin g heel of the trip, compels the trip to turn, thus turning the shaft h". The cam acts on the roller f of the yielding stop and forces the stop back against the pressure of the spring f" until the cam has passed the stop. In the meantime the crankarm has thrown the rod, and thereby thrown the switch-tongue, to the desired position.

The mechanism operates for throwing the.

switch-ton gue in either direction. The spring of the yielding stop is strong enough to prevent the spring E from throwing the trip and is also strong enough to ordinarily prevent the trip from being accidentally thrown by the wheel' of a truck or wagon; but in order to prevent the possibility of the trip being' thrown halfway and there left with its point in the path of the plunger I have provided the spring E to force the switch-tongue closed after the trip has been released in such a case.

The plunger-support for the single car is preferably fastened to the fender I), so that the rocking motion of the car will not throw the plunger so high as to miss the trip. In

When the trip is engaged IOO IIO

thedoubleform of car'the plungeris-prefer-l ably carried by supports fastened tothe body ofthe car;u l"

I do 'not wish to limit myself to any special dimensions of parts, but in practical use on street-railways I have found the following dimensions for the trip to be desirable and very efficient, viz: Length of trip on bottom, nine and one-half inches;n widthbf-lieel, four inches; depth athub, one and one-half inches. The crank and cam are made of sufficient length to give the desired throw of switchtongue and the desired movement of stop.

Itis tobe understood that the plunger normallytravels in a path which passes directly above the axis of the shaft bl.v l

Q indicates a strap at the top of the plunger and extending over the end of the ,plunger- ,operating lever, to prevent the end of the le; Vverfl'fofrn beingaccidentally displaced from' its operative V engagement with 'the"plunger,

Now7 having described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Ratent,` isV lf Inarailway-switch,the combination withf a switch-tongue, of a pivoted trip to be thrown by the car; a crank-arm lto be turned by thetrip; a rod connecting the crank-arm with the tongue; a cam iixed to the trip to turn therewith; and a yielding stop in the path of the cam and with its path radial to the axis of` the path of the trip substantially as set forth.'y

2. YIn a railway-switch,the combination with a switch-tongue, of a pivoted trip to be thrown;L by the car;V a'crank-arm to be turned by they' trip; 'la rod connecting the crankarm with thel tongue gf a spring to hold the tongue in a given position; a cam fixed to the trip to turn therewith a stop arranged in the path of the cam stationary ways in which the stop moves toward and from the axis of the trip-pivot; and a spring for holding the stop toward such axis substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a switch-tongue; a track-plate provided with a rodway and a stopway at right angles to each other a pivoted trip on the plate; a shaft extending down from the trip through the plate and provided with a crank-arm and cam; a rod extending through the rodway and connecting the switch-tongue and the crank-arm; a stop in the stopway and extending into the path of the cam; land a spring for holding the stop yieldingly in the path of the cam.

4, The combination with a switch-tongue, of a track-plate; a trip upon the track-plate and provided with a shaft extending down therethrough to pivot the trip to the trackplate and provided with a crank-arm and cam a rod connecting the crank-arm and the switchtongue; and a yielding stop in thepath of the cam, and with its path radial to the axis of the shaft.

5. In a railway-switch, a pivoted trip of wedge shape arched on its underface between the point and heel of 'the wedge, and leaving4 supporting edges at such point and heel and:

a supporting-,hub around ihejpivot substantially'asfsetforth.

6. The'combination of atraek-plate'pa piv-v otedswitch-tongue; a pivotedf'rtripjon the track-'plate and provided witha shaftrhaying a crank-arm and cam; a spring-res'tbenueath the top of the track-plate; ,a'rod connecting the crank-,arm jwith l, the "switch-tongue and passing throughjthespring-rest a spring engaging the spring-rest and operatively connected with the rod to operate the switchtongue; and a yielding stop in the path of the cam.

'7. The combination with a track provided lwitha pointed pivoted trip, of a car; a plunger-support fixed to the car and having a hole 4Vtherethrough, fla Yspring-supported swinging 'pl'un ger arranged to f playgverticallythrough Asuch hole tol/engage l one or the if other ofthe faces yof said trip way for the lower end of the Yplunger extending f transverselygY of .i the ,car to allow the plungertofswing laterally, fand having at its ends stops inY the path of Ithe plunger to limit the lateral movement of fgthe plungerwto cause the same to throw the trippa spring-guide forvnormally holding the ."plungervertical and means for operating the plunger vertically.`

8. The combination with a trackprovided with a pointed pivoted trip, of a car; a plunger-support fixed to the car and provided with a hole through which the plunger plays; a

spring supportedland guided swinging plunger toplay. vertically in such hole to engage ione or theother of lthe faces of said trip; a

spring-guide to hold the plunger normally vertical; a plungerguide extending transversely of the car to hold the plunger to swing laterally and having at its ends stops in the path of the plunger to limit the lateral move- 'ment of the plunger to throw the trip; a lever pivoted to the car and engaging the top of the plunger; and means extending up through the platform of the car for operating such lever.

9. The combination, with a car; of two levers pivotally secured longitudinally of the car, one above and the other below the plat-` form, the pivoted point of each lever permitting lateral movement of the ends of the levers; a rod throughV the platform, each end of which is connected with thefro'nt ends of the levers and the intermediate portion bears against the platform as a fulcrum; a plunger-support, and a vertical plungerV through the support, the ends of which are movable and the upper end is connected,with'thelever Vbelow the platform and the intermediate portion bears against the support asa fulcrum.

l0. The combinationwith a carfof a plunger-operating lever pivotedto the car; a lever-operating lrod connected with the lever 'and extending up through the platform of the car; a loose fulcruin-block on the platform of the car and a lever pivoted between its ends to the fulcruln-block and swiveled on the rod.

IOO

IIO

1l. The combination of a, railwayftraok with switch-tongue; a pivoted tripya shaft eX- ing up through the platform of the car; a. l vertically-moving trip-fthro'wing plunger cairied by the car and -au'ramediteengage`tl1e trip when depressed;

' `RICHARD CADYa Vtnesses:

JAMES R. TOWNSEND, ALFRED I. TQWNSEND. 

